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Winchester Repeating Arms Introduces the Speed Pump Defender Shotgun

At the 2008 SHOT Show, Winchester Repeating Arms announced the return of the Model 1300 as the new Speed Pump Defender shotgun. The 12 gauge scattergun was part of the company returning the Winchester brand to firearms manufacturing.

Although the gun is no longer being made, it significantly influenced the creation of the SXP line of shotguns. Plus, the Model 1300 and Speed Pump are still great guns to find in the secondary market.

Let’s take a look at the Winchester Speed Pump shotgun.

Return of a Classic

The new Speed Pump shotgun was a new version of the classic Winchester Model 1300. At it’s introduction, the company claimed the shotgun was the “fastest pump [action] ever.”

That was a pretty bold statement. When I had the chance to run one, it was a slick unit. It certainly felt fast – a lot better than many of the old Remington 870 shotguns I was assigned as a cop.

But, the fastest ever? I don’t know. I’m handy with a slide action, but I imagine there are a lot of people faster than me. For my part, the gun was definitely an efficient shooter.

Officially, Winchester referred to this shotgun as the Speed Pump Defender. That would strongly suggest the gun was designed with self-defense in mind. While I’m sure the company would love to have gotten these into patrol cars around the U.S., I suspect the real target market was home protection.

The guns came with an 18″ chrome-lined barrel. According to the company representative I spoke with, they completed extensive testing with both steel and tungsten buckshot and Foster-style slugs to ensure the durability and accuracy were up to snuff.

Tubular magazines stored five 2 3/4″ or 3″ shells. That’s pretty standard for a defensive shotgun. I like to have 6 in the tube, but 5 is workable. A bead front sight is standard.

The Speed Pump shotgun was made in Turkey. Prior to 2007, the Model 1300 was made in the U.S.A.

Speed Pump Defender Specifications

The Winchester Speed Pump Defender had the following factory specifications:

SKU512252395
Gauge12
Barrel Length18″
Chamber Size3″
Chokecylinder (unrestricted)
Overall Length39.5″
Length of Pull13.75″
Weight (unloaded)6.5 lbs
Stockblack synthetic
MSRP$299

Additional Speed Pump Models

The Defender is not the only Speed Pump shotgun the company offered. Two additional models focused on hunting: the Walnut Field and the Black Shadow Field.

Speed Pump Walnut Field

Operation of this shotgun is the same as the Defender. However, it has a number of changes and upgrades that make it better for hunting and sporting clays.

First, the gun came with your choice in 26″ and 28″ barrels. Both lengths had vented ribs on top with a bead sight.

Winchester used the Invector-Plus choke system. Additionally, the company back-bored the barrel “for less shot deformation and more consistent patterns.”

I am unconvinced that back-boring a shotgun barrel for an existing gun is worth the time or money. For example, Clay Shooting ran a test that showed the process netted less than a 2% increase in shot velocity. That said, I see no problems with doing it. As a standard feature in a factory gun, I see only upsides.

Speed Pump Black Shadow Field

Black Shadow Field shotguns differ little from the Walnut Field shotguns. They used a black synthetic stock and shaved $50 from the MSRP.

Origins of a New Classic

The Speed Pump Defender is a direct evolution of the older Model 1300 that was manufactured between 1983 and 2006. Manufactured in New Haven, CT, the Model 1300 was a classic pump shotgun: instantly recognizable and as American as apple pie.

The Model 1300 came in a variety of gauges and configurations. While the 12-gauge was likely the most popular, the company also offered the guns in 16- and 20-gauge.

However, the 1300 was a small evolutionary step from the Model 1200 that was introduced in 1968. The Model 1200, itself a replacement of the Model 12, is a bit more interesting to me as the gun found its way into military service.

U.S. Military Service

Starting in 1968, the U.S. Army purchased an unknown number of the Winchester Model 1200 shotguns for service in Vietnam.

These shotguns were standard in function, but they had a bayonet mount for the M1917 bayonet. Additionally, sling swivels were included to attach a M1-type web sling. On top of the barrel, a heat shield was added.

SXP – The New Speed Pump

Not long after production of the Speed Pump began, Winchester pivoted and introduced the Super X Pump Defender shotgun. Better known as the SXP Defender, it is a pump-action scattergun, very similar to the Speed Pump and the model 1300 before it.

Winchester SXP Defender shotgun

The SXP and the Speed Pump share most of the same features. Consider this an evolutionary upgrade.

Last update: June 1, 2021

By Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson is an American author, editor and entrepreneur. He's done a lot of silly things in his life, but quitting police work to follow his passion of writing about guns was one of the smartest things he ever did. He founded this site and continues to manage its operation.

15 replies on “Winchester Repeating Arms Introduces the Speed Pump Defender Shotgun”

Yeah; let’s buy American because it’ll be better. Most of the parts are manufactured overseas or otherwise out of the country but its better because its “AMERICAN MADE!!!!!”. Ignorance is bliss though I suppose. I’m just glad to see the Winchester pump gun back in production; I could give a shit if it was made on Mars, just as long as it performs. A Winchester is going to outperform a clunky Mossberg any day; always has and always will.

Needs a TruGlo front sight like the original Defender. Why the shorter mag tube ? Glad I bought my 1300 Speed Pump when I did.

They Say Its A Clone Of A 1300, But Im Curious If It Can Be Customized, Folding Stock, Pistol Grip All That Good Stuff

Hi I was curious…I’m a lefty yay nothing in this world is made for me..bummer dude right? Well I got a glock which kicks the crap outa the Cheapo that I bought at 21 where I gotta use my right hand to knock the saftey now I’m in the market for a nice compact Shotgun to replace my browning stalker that has a barrel thats 100 ft long! I was diggin around found the new Winchester Super X Pump defender looks nice I was originaly leaning tword the Mossberg 590A1 the one thing that I’m most concerned about is the saftey no one ever talks about where the saftey is!!! is the Saftey on the wrong side of the Gun on the SXP (like all the others its seems) or is it on top like the Mossberg? this would help greatly in my persuit of a decent weapon. thanks

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